Pressurized spray container for selective dispensing of product

ABSTRACT

An aerosol dispenser having a plurality of separately contained products therein and a means for preselecting a mixture of one or more preselected amounts of the products for dispensing therefrom.

United States Patent [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS (72]Inventor Paul l-eldmln 2 St. James Place, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205ZZZ/402.17 X 222/l44 5 X ML ma -t we "r "J Mr an f em .LP 58 66 99 11 ll8 49 97 86 96 33 9 l m a 2 6 2 SM 8 A o. d N u l n wmw Ha AFP Ill 25 224[.ll.

Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney-Louis A. Tirelli [54]PRESSURIZED SPRAY CONTAINER FOR SELECTIVE DISPENSING 01- PRODUCT 6Chi-3,4 Drawing Figs.

ZZZ/144.5 ABSTRACT: An aerosol dispenser having a plurality of 567d 5/52separately contained products therein and a means for ZZZ/144.5,

[50] Field of preselecting a mixture of one or more preselected amountsof 394, 402.12, 135 p the products for dispensing therefrom.

PATENTEU me am SHEET 1 [IF 2 F III .."IIIIII INVENTOR. I PA UL FELDMANATTORNEY PATENTED AUG 3 law SHEET 2 UF 2 INVENTOR. PAUL j-"ELDMAN BYQQQJ ATTORNEY PRESSURIZED SPRAY CONTAINER FOR SELECTIVE DISPENSING OFPRODUCT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a particular color of paint from awide range of colors.

Simple, single use, convenient pressurized dispensing containers havebecome widely used to dispense flowable material. These containers havebecome commonly referred to as "aerosol" containers and generallyinclude a propellent (fluorinated hydrocarbons, for example) which causethe dispensing of the substance through a nozzle, which, in one'position, seals the material in the container, and in another position,allows it to extrude as the substance-is vented into the atmosphere.These propellents have been defined as liquified gas with a vaporpressure greater than atmospheric pressure (14.7 p.s.i.a.) at atemperature of 105 F. but should include nonliquifiable gases andcompressed gases as well.

Although some of the aerosol'dispensers of the prior art are capable ofdispensing two materials concurrently or selectively dispensing one of aplurality of segregated flowable substances contained therein through asingle nozzle, none of the containers are capable of discriminatingbetween segregated products contained in the dispenser and mixing thesefor extrusion in proportion to preselected amounts of the product. Sucha capability is especially desirablewhen it becomes advantageous todispense a variety of flavors, colors, or products, from a singlecontainer. For example, it is advantageous to provide a dispensercapable of selectively dispensing a successive variety of colors ofpaint from primary colors contained therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, there is described an aerosoldispenser for dispensing a preselected mixture. of at least twoseparately contained liquids the dispenser comprising in combination acan,a separate product container disposed within the can for g each ofthe liquids, a propellent container having a chemical propellent thereinand disposed within the can, a channelled member mounted on the can andincluding a plurality" of passageways and a mixing chamber having anoutlet communicating with the atmosphere, the first channelled memberbeing coupled to each of the product containers and' the propellentcontainer to permit fluid communication of each of the productcontainers with the propellent container and with the mixing chamber,apluralityof product valves each having collection of individualcontainers, each containing a different paint-so arranged, whereby thesepaints which, for example, can be of the primary colors such as red,yellow and blue, plus additional of black and white, can bepreselectively mixed to produce any color tone desired. q These andother objects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying ld rawing, wherein the invention will be further understoodby reference thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings representpreferred forms of the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial, sectional view of the aerosol dispenser taken in aplace which intersects the longitudinal axis of the dispenser along adiameter with the center portion and symmerals of reference indicatecorresponding parts throughout a cam operable adjustable openingoperatively coupled with the passageways of the channelled member forcontrolling the flow of the liquids to the mixing chamber, manuallypresettable cam means operatively coupled with the product valves forpresetting each of the openings of the'product valves, and a manuallyoperable outlet control valve operatively coupled with the outlet of thechannelled member for permitting the liquids in the mixing chamber to bedischarged.

It is also in accordance with the present invention, and describedtherein, that the cam means is a cam ring integral with a cover for thecan and the product valves are needle valves having a portion of theirsurface in contact with the cam surface and seal on valve seats incommunication with the product containers whereby there is a combinationof proportional amounts of the liquid from eachof the product containersto comprise the substantially homogenous liquid.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anaerosol dispenser capable of selectively dispensing flowable substancesthrough a single dispensing nozzle from a plurality of separatelycontained ingredients therein. It is another object of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved unit, of the characterindicated, utilizing a cluster or metrical right side broken away. It isa partial sectional view because portions of the upper part of thedispenser, including the valve, valve pins and valve cam follower, arenot shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the valve portion of the aerosoldispenser to describe an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded pictorial assembly of the embodiments of FIG. 1 ofthe portion of the aerosol dispenser above the cam body; and

FIG. 4 is a layout of the ring cam of the invention showing the contourof the cam surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly tothe drawing wherein like nuthe several figures, an aerosol dispenserisgenerally shown at 1 comprising a container body 2 having a flangedcover 3 thereon. The container body 2 may consist of any rigid materialthat is capable of withstanding the pressures necessary to provideextrusion of the material out of the container. Specifically, thecontainer body 2 may consist of a metal alloy such as that used to formthe aerosol containers of the prior art.

The flanged cover 3 is circular and joins to the container body 2 at itsouter periphery. A valve housing 4 is in conventional sealing contactwith the top of container body 2 and the periphery of the flanged cover3. Seven apertures 6 are disposed in the center and a six equidistantlyspaced points from the center of the flanged cover 3. If desired, thesealed joint of the container body 2, flanged cover 3, and valve housing4 may be gasketed or coated with a sealing compound prior to thecrimping thereof to insure a sealed joint.

A stepped recess 8 is provided in the interior of the valve housing 4 inopen communication with the apertures 6 spaced from the center. Thebottom step 10 of the recess 8 fits over the outer portion of a valveseat support 12. The valve seat support 12 is hexagonally shaped toconform with the periphery of the bottom step 10 thereby preventingrotation therebetween.

Disposed in the center of the valve seat support 12 is a propellentnipple 13 having a propellent passageway 13 therein. Also disposed at anequal distance from the center and on the lines joining the center ofthe valve seat support 12 to the outer hexagonal points of the valveseat support 12 are six product valve seats 14. The nipple 13 fitsthrough the center aperture 6 in the flanged cover 3 and is connected ina fluidtight manner to a neck 16 of a propellent container 18.

The product valve seats 14 are each formed in a product nipple 14a andeach product nipple 14a fits through a separate one of the apertures 6spaced from the center of the flanged cover 3. Each product nipple 14ais individually connected in a fluidtight manner to a neck 20 of aproduct container 22. It should be understood that the shape of thevalve seat support 12 requires only one flat side to prevent relativerotation between itself and the valve housing 4. Also the number ofproduct valve seats 14 is dependent on the number of separate It can beseen that there is open communication between I the propellent container18, the propellent passageway 13a, the channels 26, the product valveseats 14, and the product container 22.

An impeller support housing 30 comprises a cylindrical body portion 32with a flanged bottom 34 and a central opening 36 therein which isconcentrically formed and extending sufficiently deep to fit over thecylindrical channel guide 24 of the valve seat support 12 while theflanged bottom 34 is sup ported on the lower surface 28.

The resting surfaces of the impeller support housing 30 includingtheflanged bottom 34 and the top of the central opening 36, cover thetop of the channels 26 to form enclosed passages. The diameter of theflanged bottom is such that an opening is provided between the interiorof the valve housing 4 and the outer periphery of the flanged bottom 34.

A truncated conical impeller 38 fits over the impeller support housing30 and is disposed thereon for rotational movement about the axisthereof, for example, by a knob portion 39 extending from the lowersurface of the impeller 38 fitting into a mating support hole 42 in thetop of the impeller support housing 30. It should be understood that ashaft can be disposed through the center axis of the impeller 38 andsupported in the top of the impeller support housing 30 at one end andabove the impeller 38 at the other end, in a conventional supportopening.

Impeller blades 44 are disposed along the outer periphery of thetruncated cone portion and adapted to cause the impeller to rotate whencoming into contact with a moving fluid. The recess 8 of the valvehousing 4 adapts to the same shape as the body portion 32 and outerperiphery of the impeller 39 but is spaced a small distance awaytherefrom to allow for fluid movement through the space so created.A'thin spring support 46 disposed in the ceiling portion of the recess 8above the top of the impeller blades 44 has openings 48 about theperiphery thereof which communicate with the passage along the recess 8.A chimney portion 50 extends vin open communication above the openings48.

A valve'retainer 52 having a hollow cylindrical interior and an aperture53 of a smaller diameter than the hollow interior in the upper centerthereof, is disposed with a cylindrical skirt 54 disposed in a matedannular hollow in the valve housing 4. The bottom portion of thecylindrical skirt 54 is adapted to form a prong 56 thereon so as toprevent raising of the valve retainer 52 out of the annular hollow inthe valve housing 4.

A main valve 58 is disposed in the central aperture 53 of the valveretainer 52. The main valve 58 is. formed with a washer 62 at the bottomportion thereof below a cross-hole 64 therein which communicates with acentral conduit 66 therein. The washer 62 can be formed integrally withthe main valve 58. The main valve 58 is a conventional aerosol valve andis urged in sealing position with the central aperture 53 by acompression spring 68. I

It should be understood that the aerosol pressure itself will keep themain valve 58 in a closed position but that once the main valve 58 hasbeen opened the pressure from the propellent will act to keep themainvalve 58 open and the compression spring 68 is necessary to closethe same.

A second cross-hole 70 is provided in the top of the main valve 58 whichcommunicates with the central conduit 66. A tube 72 is provided incommunication, with the second crosshole 70 and extends to the outerperiphery of the aerosol dispenser 1 where it is flanged.

A conventional cover cap 74 has a double flapped skirt. The interiorskirt 7,6, of the cover cap 74, is externally threaded at the bottomthereof and threads into an internally threaded ring cam holder 78. Thering cam-holder 78 has a mushroom top surface which has an internallythreaded opening at the central top portion. The bottom skirtof the ringcam holder 78 fits over the valve housing 4 and is joined theretoat 80in a gripping fashion to prevent relative rotation therebetween. A

ring cam 82 is provided integrally or otherwise in the ring cam holder78.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, when the main'valve 58 is depressed, thereis a pressure differential between the propellent outlet 16 and the tube72 in communication with the atmosphere. Propellent is thereby releasedand follows the path through the propellent passageway 13, through thechannels 26, up the path between both the impeller support housing 30and the impeller 38 and the recess 8, through the openings 48 and intothe first cross-hole 64 which is now in its depressed condition belowthe valve retainer 52, up through the conduit 66, through the secondcross-hole 70 and out-the tube 72 to the atmosphere. 7

Although it is not understood, it is surmised that as the propellenttravels in the cylindrical channels 26 and up about the flanged bottom34, a vacuum is drawn over the open product outlets 20 and by theBernoulli effect, products therein are drawn out to mix with thepropellent and are carried up into recess, or mixing, chamber 8. As theproduct passes the impeller, the force thereof causes the impeller torotate on its knob portion 'and to cause a thorough mixing of theproducts. g

Valve pins 84 are disposed to fit in each of the product valve seats 14.The valve pins 84 extend through conduits 86 in the valve housing 4. Itis understood that the conduits 86 communicatewith respective productcontainers 22. The upper portion of the conduit 86 is wider than thelower portion and the upper surface of each of the valve pins 84 forms avalve cam follower 88 which is rounded on top and is disposed so thatthe top portion is urged against the bottom of the ring cam 82 by acompression spring 90 which fits in the conduit 86. The compressionspring 90 seats against the bottomof the valve cam follower 88 and thenecked in step of the conduit 86.

The bottom surface of the ring cam 82 will be described below and itshould be understood that as the ring cam holder 78 is rotated, the ringcam 82 urges the valve cam follower 88 to varying depths thus opening orclosing, more or less, the valve pins 84 in the valve seat 14. Thisallows a varying amount of the product to be drawnout of the productcontainer 22, the amount varying from nothing to the maximum amount thatwill be drawn with a fully opened valve. By varying each of the depthsof the valve pins 84 in the respective valve seats 14 a predeterminedamount, a desired mixed product is mixed in the mixing chamber.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2,wherein like parts are similarly numbered to FIG. 1, the main valve is acylindrical shaft 92 having a flange 94 at the bottom portion thereof. Afirst washer 96 is disposed on the cylindrical shaft 92 adjacent theflange 94, and fixed adjacent the propellent outlet 16 so as to preventpropellent entering propellent outlet 16 in the closed position.

The propellent outlet 16 in FIG. 2 is an opening into a cylindricalconduit in the valve seat support 12 and does not have the propellentvalve seat 13 and the unnumbered but shown flange to which thepropellent container 18 is attached.

That portion of the cylindrical shaft 92 disposed below the valveretainer 52 has a second washer 98 disposed on the cylindrical shaft 92above the compression spring 68. A crosshole 100 is disposed in theshaft above the washer where a pin 102 is fitted therein. The secondwasher 98 is made of a hard material, for example, steel. The pin 102can be made of a similar steel with a different softness to preventundue wear. A pair of washers 104 are then fitted into the cylindricalshaft 92 and above the pin 102. The top-most washer of the pair ofwashers 104 being soft, for example, plastic, so as to secure a conduit66 similar to the main valve 58. The provision of the washers and pin inthe cross-hole of the cylindrical shaft 92 allows the cylindrical shaft92 to fit through central conduits (unnumbered) in the impeller supporthousing 30 and impeller 38 during manufacturing. The spring support 46also has a central opening through which the shaft fits. It should beobvious that the parts of the impeller support housing 30 and theimpeller 38 which bear upon each other are smooth for ease of turning ofthe impeller 38.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2 a small amount of propellent passes upthrough the central conduits of the impeller support housing 30 andimpeller 38 into the mixing chamber which causes an additionalhomogenous mix.

A push button (unnumbered) is disposed over the main valve 58 in FIGS. 1and 2 which is conventional and when urged toward the main valve 58causes the main valve 58 to be depressed.

FIG. 4 shows a cam plot of the bottom surface of the ring cam 82. Whenthe ring cam 82 is rotated in position on the aerosol dispenser I,varying amounts of red, white, yellow,

green, blue, as well as gloss, are drawn through the product valve seats14, as described above. It should be understood that the varying amountscan include the absence of one or more products when the valve pins 84are fully seated on the valve seats 14 by the selected position of thering cam 82.

With the valve cam follower 88 at an intermediate position, as shown atA in FIG. 4 for purposes of clarity, the valve pin 84 allows anintennediate flow of product to enter the mixing chamber through thevalve seat. As a further example of the invention, the valve camfollower 88 is urged by the ring cam 82 all the way down at 8. Thus, thevalve pin 84 is fully seated on the valve seat 14 and, thus, in a closedposition so that there is no product entering the mixing chamber. 7

Each of the valve cam followers 88, for example, shown as six in numberin the drawing, can be held at varying or similar amount of mixing for amore,

heights by the ring cam 82. By rotating the ring cam 82, the

aerosol dispenser with red, white, yellow, green, blue and gloss in theproduct containers 22 will dispense from varying shades of yellow (froma pale yellow to the duller yellows and mixed with or without gloss foran enamel effect) through the oranges and reds, purples, greens, bluesand finally purples.

The ring cam 82 is shown in FIG. 4, with six zones, each occupyingone-sixteenth of the total length of the ring cam 82 or 60. The zonescontrol the valve pins 84 of the respective paints or pigments which arein the respective product container 22. It should be understood that thering cam 82 controls the valve pins 84 so that an operator can obtainany one of the pigments solely or any combination of any number of thepigments. It should be clear that the mixing of paints is a well knownart but that all the user need do with the aerosol dispenser 1 is torotate the ring cam and continually depress V the main valve 58 todetennined the colordispensed. As an aid in selecting the proper colors,the top of the can can be marked with a color code to coincide with thecolor of paint which will be dispensed from the aerosol dispenser 1.

Although not shown, positions can be made on the ring cam 82, forexample at every 60 in the embodiment shown, to follow after each color,where all the valve pins 84 are seated tightly in their product valveseats 14 so that product will not be lost from the product outlets 20when the aerosol dispenser l is not in an upright position.

Although the ring cam 82 has been shown to have six seats 14. The numberof zones in the ring cam 82 will always be equal to the number ofproduct valve seats 14, there being usually one product valve seat 14for each product container 22 housed therein.

Also, although the embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in tenns of pigments or paints, any desired product can beused and stored in the product containers 22.

While there has been described what is at present considered to bepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is thereforeintended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

- I claim:

1. An aerosol dispenser for dispensing a preselected mixture of at leasttwo separately contained liquids, said dispenser comprising incombination:

a. a can,

b. a separate product container disposed within said can for each ofsaid liquids,

c. a propellent container having a chemical propellent therein anddisposed within said can,

a channelled member mounted on said can and including a plurality ofpassageways and a mixing chamber having an outlet communicating withthe'atmosphere, said first channelled member being coupled to each ofsaid product containers and said propellent container to permit fluidcommunication of each said product container with said propellentcontainer and with said mixing 'chamber,

. a plurality of product valves each having a cam operable adjustableopening operatively coupled with said passageways of said channelledmember for controlling v the flow of said liquids to said mixingchamber, f. manually presettable cam means operatively coupled with saidproduct valves for presetting each said opening of said product valves,and g g. a manually operable outlet control valve operatively coupledwith said outlet of said channelled member for permitting said liquidsin said mixing chamber to be discharged.

2. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim I, wherein said cam means isa pivotably mounted ring cam disposed with the cam surface of said ringcam in urging contact with said product valves.

3.'An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said productvalves are needle valves having a surface thereof in contact with saidring cam surface so as to act as a cam follower.

4. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 3, wherein said ring cam isintegral with a pivotable cover mounted on said can for relative pivotalmovement therewith, said needle valves being disposed for adjustment bythe position of said ring cam surface on said cover to regulate theamount of said liquid flowing from each of said product containers formixing in said mixing chamber.

1. An aerosol dispenser for dispensing a preselected mixture of at leasttwo separately contained liquids, said dispenser comprising incombination: a. a can, b. a separate product container disposed withinsaid can for each of said liquids, c. a propellent container having achemical propellent therein and disposed within said can, d. achannelled member mounted on said can and including a plurality ofpassageways and a mixing chamber having an outlet communicating with theatmosphere, said first channelled member being coupled to each of saidproduct containers and said propellent container to permit fluidcommunication of each said product container with said propellentcontainer and with said mixing chamber, e. a plurality of product valveseach having a cam operable adjustable opening operatively coupled withsaid passageways of said channelled member for controlling the flow ofsaid liquids to said mixing chamber, f. manually presettable cam meansoperatively coupled with said product valves for presetting each saidopening of said product valves, and g. a manually operable outletcontrol valve operatively coupled with said outlet of said channelledmember for permitting said liquids in said mixing chamber to bedischarged.
 2. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein saidcam means is a pivotably mounted ring cam disposed with the cam surfaceof said ring cam in urging contact with said product valves.
 3. Anaerosol dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said product valves areneedle valves having a surface thereof in contact with said ring camsurface so as to act as a cam follower.
 4. An aerosol dispenser asdefined in claim 3, wherein said ring cam is integral with a pivotablecover mounted on said can for relative pivotal movement therewith, saidneedle valves being disposed for adjustment by the position of said ringcam surface on said cover to regulate The amount of said liquid flowingfrom each of said product containers for mixing in said mixing chamber.5. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 1, which also includes amixing impeller rotatably mounted in said mixing chamber of saidchannelled member for rotation when said fluid flows through said mixingchamber thereby causing a homogenous mixture of liquids to be dispensed.6. An aerosol dispenser as defined in claim 5, which further includes asupport means mounted on said can.